CHAPTER 26

((Hey everybody! I was at a team sleepover yesterday for basketball so I couldn't update…sorry…Im gonna do one maybe two chapters today I haven't decided yet…I hope you like whats going on so far…wow! The reviews…im to the point where I don't have time to answer all the reviews I get for both stories…I answer a few of them…I wish I could answer them all…but I cant…sometimes I will sign on and have like ten…then I reply to them all…when I have like 30 or 40 which I sometimes do…I'll reply to maybe 10…sorry but it takes an hour to write each chapter and there are other people in my house who need the computer…I hope nobody is mad about it…Here comes Chapter 26…last chapter: Troy and Gabriella got engaged at the ski lodge on New Year's Eve…R&R…XOXO, Christine))

May They Be Together Forever

Troy and Gabriella went upstairs to where their parents were. "Mom, dad," Troy said. "Gabby and I have something to tell you." He looked at Gabby waiting for her to say it.

"We're engaged," said Gabriella.

"Oh my God, congratulations," said Mrs. Bolton crying. "Finally this day has come. We've waited so long." She hugged Troy and Gabriella. They weren't worried about her reaction. They were worried about Mr. Bolton's. He seemed incredibly surprised.

"W-when did this h-happen?" he asked.

"Just now," replied Troy.

"You're to y-young."

"We're going to wait until after college," replied Gabriella. "We want to get an apartment together, and then when we're done with college, make it official."

"Well, in that case," Mr. Bolton had begun to relax. "We should celebrate. This is such a happy day." He's a good actor, Troy thought to himself. He knew his dad too well. His dad wasn't happy at all. His dad was clearly upset. "Shall we propose a toast," he said grabbing a glass of champagne, everyone else following suit. "To Troy and Gabriella, may they be together forever."

"To Troy and Gabriella," everyone mumbled happily.

"Let's go back to the party," Troy whispered in Gabriella's ear. "This is too awkward."

"Yeah," replied Gabriella. "Let's go. Now."

They went back downstairs to the party. Everyone lined up around them congratulating them and wishing them luck together. It was even more awkward for the two because Troy and Gabriella didn't know any of the people. But, if a stranger walked in at that second, they would swear that everyone knew each other quite well.

"Let's get out of here," Gabriella whispered this time. They went out onto the balcony outside. "Look at the stars. They're so beautiful."

"I suppose it's time for my lame line," sighed Troy.

Gabriella slapped him playfully. "Let's skip that part." She leaned in and kissed him passionately. He returned it while the fireworks went off above their heads. Nothing could ruin this night.

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A week later, Troy and Gabriella were walking around school hand in hand. It was their first day back, and nobody was allowed to know about the engagement except for the gang who had been sworn to secrecy. Gabriella and Troy both wore their rings, but she turned the diamond part over so it would look like just a normal silver band. Nobody would suspect a thing.

Troy took his ring off during basketball practice and stuck it in his bag in a safe spot. He went out to practice and played the best he ever had. T.J, once again jealous of Troy's skills, smelled a rat as he put it. He told Coach Bolton that he felt sick and needed to go to the bathroom. While in the locker room, he looked through Troy's stuff. When he found the ring, he sniggered.

"Now we know Troy's little secret," T.J. said in a low voice. "He's engaged. He must be so happy. Well, he won't be happy if he can't find his ring, and neither will Montez. Who knows, maybe they'll break up. Then I can comfort Montez and she'll go out with me." He took the ring and hid it in his bag. He went back out to practice. No one would suspect a thing.

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Troy tore apart his bag looking for his ring. "Shit," he mumbled. "What happened to it? I'm so dead if I don't find it." He put his head in his hands.

Chad saw Troy stressing and wondered what the matter was. "What's the matter?" he asked him.

"The ring, it's gone," replied Troy. "Gabriella's gonna kill me. What if she breaks off the engagement? I'd die if she did."

"Look, Troy, we'll find that ring," Chad said. "Just don't tell Gabriella, yet."

"She'll notice that I am not wearing it."

"Just tell her the guys saw it and they wondered what it was so you decided to take it off so that they wouldn't find out."

"That'll only work for so long. It might not be enough time."

"Well it's the only plan we've got," said Chad.

T.J smiled to himself. "Good," he thought to himself. "Troy knows he lost it. He'll suck at basketball and best of all, he'll lose his girl. That's the end of any competition I have with Troy Bolton. And to get my name cleared, I'll pretend to help them look." He examined the ring. "This could sell for a lot of money on EBAY." He smiled at himself, praising himself. "You're so smart."

((Bad bad T.J…hes not very nice…I wonder what'll happen…you just have to wait and see…but let me tell ya…most people get pretty angry when their fiancé loses the ring…I doubt Gabriella will be a happy person…review time…you know the drill…Next chapter tonight or tomorrow…XOXO, Christine))